Archive for March, 2011

Well, I am in the middle of baby central. Two friends had new babies on the weekend, I meet a little 3 months old girl and another girlfriend is now officially 3 days overdue…waiting…waiting..waiting. (That’s not counting next months arrivals!)

Let’s look at nursery ideas while we wait shall we?

Earthy Nursey

One Hour

Snuggles!!

One Hour

TRANSLATION: TRY THIS AT HOME

Select an unusual palette for a nursery which is cocooning and unisex- earthy greens, linen and creams.

Add in texture for softness and warmth.

Keep the accessories in neutral palettes- i love the idea of the old glass cabinet filled with soft linen toys and wooden toys.

If you want to add some colours for a boy or girl- add raspberry or lemon for a little girl and some blue tartans for a little boy. You can easily remove these accessories when baby number 2 arrives.

Last night I saw a film as part of the French Film Festival here in Sydney. What is it about the French – they can get away with soap opera style movies and sexual innuendo and simple gimmicks that would leave an Australian film destined for 3pm day time TV after old Neighbours and A Country Practice. Just because they look amazing and the houses are great they can play out a film really not much above a skit! But cute.

This reminds me….a friend suggested these images after she stayed at this hotel in Paris (sigh….)

Chez Odette

Chez Odette

Chez Odette

Chez Odette

TRANSLATION: TRY THIS AT HOME

There is only one rule for this idea- keep it about texture. Wood, leather, silk, fur, glass.

Don’t add any other colours (ok, that is two rules) if you want to avoid the 1990-2000 trend.

Sometimes the normal furniture available for a space is a bit cliche. Got a bed, put a side table. Got a hallway, put a hall stand. It does start to get a bit predictable. One great way to change the space is the play with heights and unexpected dimensions.

This long low table is a great example….

Emma's Design Blog

TRANSLATION: TRY THIS AT HOME

I love that this makes use of a small narrow skinny area but allows it to become more playful somehow.

Use this in apartments where you want to keep a sense of open space or even in front of a window that you don’t want to obstruct the view but you want some more personality.

Look for different low seating options and benches for something unique and quirky!

I have to get up and go to work for the first Monday morning as an employee is around 7 years! Although I been working for years as a freelancer and a business owner it is weird to be on someone else’s time slot!

I would really rather stay in a bed a little longer- especially one that looks like it is right out of a holiday guest room.

Bring back the old cane bed heads!

Asolutely Beautiful Things

TRANSLATION: TRY THIS AT HOME

Don’t use any bright colours here unless you want to look cheap and nasty- be over the top classic to bring it into a modern version.

Use high quality, classic country inspired linen that provides a fusion of holiday resort and country residence.

When I was at the Life In Style Expo a few weeks I was delighted to find that Armadillo were doing these amazing “floor dollies” not technical name but one I love. I have been sitting on these photos for ages wondering where I would get such a gorgeous product?

I have decided that 99% of bed linen is fugly! Seriously- and I can say that I have seen the coming ranges of one of Australia’s premier linen design houses and it is no better. Poor colours, too large prints where you want small ones, too small where you want large and very little understanding of proportion! And I am an not even a designer!

TRANSLATION: TRY THIS AT HOME

One way I think you could get around it is buy white linen and make your own statement pillow slips from fabric that you love (the above is not the BEST example but you get my point!)

If you are not sleeping on these it makes finding a suitable fabric easier!

Mix it up with sheets that have a stripe or a floral (as if you can find these but try!!) to get some personality into your mainly white linen.

Pick colours that suit the season and your make you feel relaxed! Pretty is not always calming so seek to find the former first.

This is a good idea for teenage rooms when finding a “cool” print is easier in fabrics than a full bedlinen set.

If you are really ambitious you can attempt to make a full set- doona cover, pillows, cuhsions and European pillows. I did this once and was thrilled the result! I picked a huge mash up of prints but it was so pretty and unique and all mine…..In fact it was in Autumn colours so I should pull it out again.

I have just had the most amazing weekend. Yesterday was all about culture. Brunch at Joost (great view- terrible menu and service), Annie Leibovitz exhibition (great images, poor curation), outdoor cinema (great venue, crap film). However despite my harsh reviews I enjoyed it all- you have try these things so at least you have a comment from your own experience. Getting out, trying new adventures and than bitchy about them is much better than staying at home and reading what the papers says.

Here is an idea that I encourage you try (no bad press will be reported after because I am sure you will be delighted!)

Desire to Inspire

Lonny Magazine

TRANSLATION: TRY THIS AT HOME

The name of this styling idea has been inspired by the current trend to colour the end of you hair a bright colour (so it doesn’t actually pertain to tie dying the fabric).

I love the use of a block colours to create a new accent in what was simply classic white curtains.

Often fabrics with a print demand too much attention – however this modern block colour version gets attention for all the right reasons and add sophistication to any space.